Cricket keeper for baiting a sport fishing hook

ABSTRACT

A cricket keeper for baiting a sport fishing hook contains a large plurality of crickets as live bait, and provides a conical lid with a narrow capped opening at its peak, where a single cricket may become trapped when the cricket keeper is inverted. A slot is provided in the side of the opening, enabling the user to insert a hook through the slot to impale a trapped cricket without touching the cricket. Then invert the cricket hooker back up right lifting the hook towards the top. Simply remove the cap lift out the hook with the cricket securely impaled.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/164,857, filed May 21, 2015, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to sport fishing tackle and equipment,and in particular to a cricket keeper for baiting a sport fishing hook.Using crickets as live bait has proven to be very effective for manysport fishermen. Unfortunately, the crickets are difficult to handle andcan be unpleasant for some, particularly women and children. Theseparticipants are forced to rely on others to bait their hooks for them.Cricket keepers have been developed which will hold the crickets, andprovide a narrow opening where a single cricket may be grasped for thefisherman to insert a hook. Unfortunately, when the lid is removed,other crickets may jump out and escape.

A search of the prior art reveals various bait keeping and hook baitingdevices which have been developed to provide the sport fisherman a meansfor the keeping of a quantity of live bait, particularly crickets, andthe baiting of a hook with the live bait. None are closely related tothe present invention, but several include features which resemble thoseof the present invention. Each has proven to be less than satisfactoryin its own way.

Baiting system for a fishing hook, U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,892 (filed Mar.29, 2000), provides a baiting system for a fishing hook which controls,directs and holds live fishing bait, specifically leeches, in a confinedspace. The system provides for proper threading on a fishing hookwithout requiring one's hands or fingers to touch the live bait. Thesystem includes a funnel with a stem, a stopper to be inserted into thefunnel at the stem, a soft plastic tubing engaged over the lower end ofthe stem, and at the lower end of the plastic tubing at least one holefollowed by a slit, with optional opposing hole and slit, and a binderclip at the bottom to trap the bait. The bait, such as a leech, isdropped into the funnel and positioned by the stopper to slide tailfirst into the plastic tubing. The barb of the fish hook is insertedthrough the hole, into the tail of the bait, and then the binder clip isremoved and the hooked bait is pulled down through the slit of theplastic tubing.

Cricket dispensing and hooking device, U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,362 (filedJun. 5, 1989), provides a live bait dispenser for receiving andretaining a plurality of crickets or other live fish bait and comprisingdevices to allow for the transfer of said bait to a container from whichthey cannot return and also a means by which the operator may hook saidbait and remove it from the device without allowing other baits toescape.

Cricket dispenser, U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,230 (filed Feb. 16, 1988),provides a cricket dispensing nozzle having a generally annular open endfor communicating with the source of crickets. Four resilient prongsemerge from the annular member and converge towards a dispensing openingin a continuous manner. Spaces between the four prongs permit insertionof a hook, both through that space and through the space below so thatthe hook may be passed through the cricket twice and the cricket removedfrom the nozzle without otherwise damaging the cricket.

Hook baiting machine, U.S. Pat. No. 4,015,359 (filed Jul. 18, 1975),provides an apparatus for baiting fishing hooks attached at spacedintervals by snoods to a long line comprising guide means for receivingthe lines, snoods and eyes of the hooks to channel them longitudinallyand unobstructedly through said apparatus and restrict them againstlateral displacement out of the guide means. Orienting and tensioningmeans, laterally offset from the guide means, momentarily engage eachhook to progressively rotatably orient it while increasing the tensionon the hook and its associated snood. As the hook then leaves theorienting and tensioning means, it flips into a baiting chamber tosecurely impale bait supplied thereto. The baited hook leaves theapparatus together with the snood and main line, thus reducing thechance of loss of bait by a whiplash action, in which the hook and snoodhave to be separated from the main line before passing through thebaiter. In addition, according to the present invention, the hookorientation is carefully controlled from the moment the hook enters theapparatus to the moment it leaves the orienting and tensioning means, toensure effective baiting.

Method and baiting machine for baiting fishing hooks, U.S. Pat. No.5,934,003 (priority May 6, 1996), provides a method for baiting fishinghooks by a baiting machine including a baiting station, wherein fishinghooks are pulled past the baiting station by a line which is attached inthe hook's eye. The method includes the steps of threading bait at afirst end section thereof, bringing the point of the hook intoengagement with a second end section of the bait opposite the first endsection during an introductory threading of the hook on to the bait,rotating the bait in a first direction about the spike under theinfluence of the force exerted on the bait by the hook, while the hooksimultaneously continues to be threaded on the bait, and rotating thehook in a direction opposite to the first direction by pulling it offthe line, until the bait has been threaded on to the bend of the hook.The invention also relates to a baiting machine for implementation ofthe method. The baiting machine includes a base on which the shank ofthe hook can slide, a bait holder with a support side which faces in thepulling direction of the hook, and a holding arm which can beresiliently pressed against the support side. From the section of thesupport side which faces away from the base, a spike projects towardsthe holding arm, on which spike the bait can be impaled.

Baiting machine for trawl line fishing using entire fishes, U.S. Pat.No. 4,644,677 (filed Sep. 30, 1985), provides a machine which combines aguide known for the guiding of the point of the fish hooks, a corridorfor the introduction of the baiting fish which is perpendicular to thetrajectory of the fish hook point, a retractable wall prolongating thewall of the corridor on the downstream side of the trajectory of thefish hook and a second wall perpendicular to the first, said second wallbeing prolongated by an arm which can be caught by the fish hook inorder to pivot the retractable wall about a pivoting axis situatedtoward the corridor and downstream with respect to the trajectory of thefish hook and an oblique ramp pushing back the head of the baitintroduced along the longitudinal direction of the corridor toward thesecond wall of the retractable wall. The machine is usable for trawlline fishing.

Some of the prior art inventions require the user to physically handlethe bait while others, although manipulating the bait mechanically,require very skilled and well-practiced handling by the user. Otherprior art inventions fail to accommodate crickets entirely as a type ofbait, and some are intended for large scale commercial fishingoperations. The present invention has been developed for the purpose ofaddressing and resolving these disadvantages. A cricket keeper forbaiting a sport fishing hook, providing a cap on the opening and a slotwhere a hook may be inserted into the cricket, such that it may beeasily operated by a novice user or a child without handling thecricket, would resolve all these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a cricket keeper for baiting asport fishing hook. The cricket keeper may be used to contain a largeplurality of crickets as live bait, and provides a conical lid with anarrow capped opening at its peak, where a single cricket may becometrapped when the cricket keeper is inverted. A slot is provided in theside of the opening, enabling the user to insert a hook through the slotto impale a trapped cricket without touching the cricket. The user maythen remove the cap from the opening and lift out the hook with thecricket securely impaled.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitutea part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying thecricket keeper 10, the air holes 11, the lid 12, the opening 13, the cap14, and the slot 15.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying thecricket keeper 10, the lid 12, the opening 13, and the cap 14.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment with the capremoved, displaying the cricket keeper 10, the air holes 11, the lid 12,the opening 13, the cap 14, and the slot 15.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the lid of the first exemplary embodiment,displaying the lid 12, the opening 13, the cap 14, and the slot 15.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment,displaying the cricket keeper 10, and the lid 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directedto a cricket keeper 10 for baiting a sport fishing hook.

The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a cricket keeper 10,which may be used to contain a large plurality of crickets as live bait.The cricket keeper body 20 having an open end 22. The body 20 ispreferably tall and rectangular, similar in shape to a milk carton, andprovides air holes 11 on the front and rear surfaces. A conical lid 12which terminates in a cylinder shaft 21. The cylinder shaft 21terminates with a narrow opening 13 at its peak. A single cricket maybecome trapped in the cylinder shaft 21 when the cricket keeper 10 isinverted. A slot 15 is provided in the side of the cylinder shaft 21,enabling the user to insert a hook through the slot 15 to impale atrapped cricket without touching the cricket. The slot 15 is shaped suchthat any hook may pass through the slot 15 (i.e. a standard single hook,double hook, treble hook, or any other type of hook). The slot 15extends to the end of the cylinder shaft 21 such that the hook may passout of the opening 13 without being removed back through the slot 15.

The cricket keeper 10 is preferably transparent or translucent, enablingthe user to clearly see how many crickets are left to be used as bait,and whether a cricket has become trapped in the opening 13. The cap 14is tethered to the lid 12 to prevent loss of the cap 14, enabling easyone-handed recovery and replacement of the cap 14 on the opening 13after the cricket has been removed.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user removes the lid 12 andinserts a plurality of live crickets into the cricket keeper 10. Whenpreparing to bait a hook, the user inverts the cricket keeper 10, gentlyshaking the cricket keeper 10 until a cricket becomes trapped in thecylinder shaft 13. The user may then right the cricket keeper 10, inserta hook through the slot 15, impale the cricket on the hook, remove thecap 14 from the opening 13, and lift out the hook with the cricketsecurely impaled out through the opening 13. Finally, the user mayreplace the cap 14.

The cricket keeper 10 and the lid 12 are preferably manufactured from arigid, durable material which is shatterproof and transparent ortranslucent, such as plastic or methacrylate. The cap 14 and tether arepreferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material, such asplastic.

Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable,but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materialscould be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understandand appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, andequivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. Theinvention should, therefore, not be limited by the above describedembodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methodswithin the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A cricket keeper, comprising: a. a body having an open end;b. a conical lid; c. said conical lid being sized and shaped to fit overthe open end of the body and terminating in a cylindrical shaft oppositethe body; d. said cylindrical shaft terminating in an opening oppositethe conical lid; e. a slot in a side of the cylindrical shaft; f. saidslot being sized and shaped such that a hook may pass through the slotinto the cylindrical shaft; and g. a cap being sized and shaped to fitsnuggly within the opening such that the lid removably seals theopening.
 2. The cricket keeper of claim 1, wherein the body, conicallid, and cylindrical shaft are transparent or translucent.
 3. Thecricket keeper of claim 1, wherein the cap is tethered to the cricketkeeper.
 4. The cricket keeper of claim 1, wherein the body has a heightgreater than a width.
 5. The cricket keeper of claim 4, wherein the bodyis rectangular in shape.
 6. The cricket keeper of claim 2, wherein thebody has a height greater than a width.
 7. The cricket keeper of claim6, wherein the body is rectangular in shape.
 8. The cricket keeper ofclaim 1, wherein the body comprises a plurality of air holes; said airholes being large enough to allow the passage of air but small enough toentrap an insect.
 9. The cricket keeper of claim 5, wherein the bodycomprises a plurality of air holes; said air holes being large enough toallow the passage of air but small enough to entrap an insect.
 10. Thecricket keeper of claim 7, wherein the body comprises a plurality of airholes; said air holes being large enough to allow the passage of air butsmall enough to entrap an insect.
 11. A method of using the cricketkeeper of claim 1, comprising: a user removes the conical lid; the userplaces a plurality of live crickets within the body through the openend; the user attaches the conical lid; the user inverts the cricketkeeper such that one of the plurality of live crickets enters thecylindrical shaft; the user turns the cricket keeper upright such thatall but the one of the plurality of crickets return to the body; theuser slides a hook through the slot on the side of the cylindricalshaft; the user impales the one cricket with the hook; the user removesthe cap; the user pulls the hook through the opening; and the userreplaces the cap.
 12. The method of using the cricket keeper of claim11, wherein the body, conical lid, and cylindrical shaft are transparentor translucent.
 13. The method of using the cricket keeper of claim 11,wherein the cap is tethered to the cricket keeper.
 14. The method ofusing the cricket keeper of claim 11, wherein the body has a heightgreater than a width.
 15. The method of using the cricket keeper ofclaim 14, wherein the body is rectangular in shape.
 16. The method ofusing the cricket keeper of claim 12, wherein the body has a heightgreater than a width.
 17. The method of using the cricket keeper ofclaim 16, wherein the body is rectangular in shape.
 18. The method ofusing the cricket keeper of claim 11, wherein the body comprises aplurality of air holes; said air holes being large enough to allow thepassage of air but small enough to entrap an insect.
 19. The method ofusing the cricket keeper of claim 15, wherein the body comprises aplurality of air holes; said air holes being large enough to allow thepassage of air but small enough to entrap an insect.
 20. The method ofusing the cricket keeper of claim 17, wherein the body comprises aplurality of air holes; said air holes being large enough to allow thepassage of air but small enough to entrap an insect.